Once a Year Mashed Potatoes

🥘 Ingredients

• cayenne
• freshly
• hot milk
  1/4 cup
• kosher
• russet potatoes
  3.25 lbs
• unsalted European butter
  1 lb

🍳 Cookware

• large pot
• colander
• potato masher
• wire whisk

1. 1

   Peel russet potatoes (smaller potatoes preferred) and cut into quarters. Transfer to a bowl of cold water to rinse off excess surface starch. Drain.

   russet potatoes: 3.25 lbs
2. 2

   Transfer potatoes to a large pot of cold water and salt the water very generously with kosher salt. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat and simmer until tender and pierced easily with a knife, ⏱️ 20 to 25%minutes .

   kosher
3. 3

   Meanwhile, cut unsalted European butter into chunks and let come to room temperature.

   unsalted European butter: 1 lb
4. 4

   Drain potatoes thoroughly in a colander . Return drained potatoes to the warm pot over medium-low heat. Mash with a potato masher until broken down. Season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.

   kosher, freshly
5. 5

   Add 1/4 of the softened butter chunks and mash until mostly incorporated.
6. 6

   Add another 1/4 of the butter and mix with a wire whisk until absorbed. Whisk in the remaining half of the butter in two additions until potatoes are ultra-smooth, silky, and creamy.
7. 7

   Whisk in hot milk until incorporated. Adjust seasoning with a tiny pinch of cayenne pepper (optional) and additional salt if needed. Serve hot immediately.

   hot milk: 1/4 cup, cayenne